Nation

Dr M: Abolish Sedition Act and chaos will reign

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could descend into chaos if the Government went ahead with a proposal to abolish the Sedition Act 1948, says former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the proposed new law to replace the Act would not be able to prevent seditious acts that would occur.

“The people will be subjected to all kinds of sedition, including incitement to amend the Federal Constitution,” he said in his latest post on chedet.cc. “It is not inconceivable that they would agitate for the institution of the monarchy to be abolished.”

Dr Mahathir said Malaysia did not have legislation that could prevent insult of the monarchy, such as Thailand’s lese majeste laws.

He said many might be angered by the incitement to abolish the monarchy.

But, because sedition was allowed, those interested in making Malaysia a republic would have the right and freedom to proceed with their campaign, he pointed out.

“The possibility is that chaos will occur in the country. This is a result of the liberal attitude that we have been striving for,” Dr Mahathir said.

The Government announced on May 30 a proposal to introduce a new law to replace the Sedition Act and has received the drafts of three Bills on national harmony.

This followed an announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in 2012 to abolish the Act to, among other things, enhance freedom of expression among the people.

The three Bills are the National Harmony Bill, National Unity Bill and National Unity and Integration Commission Bill. — Bernama